Maintenance over auxiliary power line

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and apparatus for maintenance over an auxiliary power line are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a disclosed method for retrieving maintenance data from a unit on a vehicle comprises powering the unit by an auxiliary power line connected to the unit or powering the unit by a primary power line connected to the unit. The method further comprises retrieving, by a digital source controller, the maintenance data off of the unit via the auxiliary power line by using broadband over power line (BPL). Further, the method comprises providing power to the auxiliary power line by the digital source controller. In one or more embodiments, the maintenance data comprises built in test (BIT) data, built in test equipment (BITE) data, health management data, configuration data, at least one hardware (HW) part number, and/or at least one software (SW) version number.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to maintenance for units. In particular,it relates to maintenance over an auxiliary power line for vehicleunits.

BACKGROUND

Currently, maintenance data is retrieved from vehicle units (e.g.,avionics units) via various different methods. For example, forretrieving tracking data from the units to track the units on a vehicle(e.g., aircraft), it is usually accomplished by physically reading anameplate or tag off of the unit itself, or by the procedural poweringup of the entire vehicle system (e.g., comprising all of the units) togain access to the individual unit electronically. For gaining access tohealth monitoring data of the units, typically the practice is to eitheruse a propriety piece of test equipment to obtain the data from theunit, or to pull the unit of interest off of the vehicle platform andconnect the unit to a specialized piece of off-board test equipment toextract the health related information. In regards to generation ofhealth indicators for the units, this feature typically does not existdue to the limited available bandwidth within the existinginfrastructures and to the cost to coexist with mission or criticaldata. As such, these conventional methods that are currently used toretrieve maintenance data from units installed on a vehicle arecumbersome and/or costly.

There is therefore a need for an improved simplified technique forretrieving the maintenance data from units installed on a vehicle.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a method, system, and apparatus formaintenance over an auxiliary power line. In one or more embodiments, amethod for retrieving maintenance data from a unit on a vehiclecomprises powering the unit by an auxiliary power line connected to theunit or by a primary power line connected to the unit. The methodfurther comprises retrieving, by a digital source controller, themaintenance data off of the unit via the auxiliary power line.

In one or more embodiments, the method further comprises providingpower, by the digital source controller, to the auxiliary power line. Inat least one embodiment, the method further comprises commanding, by theportable maintenance system, the digital source controller to providepower to the auxiliary power line. In some embodiments, the methodfurther comprises commanding, by the remote maintenance system, thedigital source controller to provide power to the auxiliary power line.

In at least one embodiment, the method further comprises providingpower, by the vehicle, to the primary power line.

In one or more embodiments, the maintenance data comprises built in test(BIT) data, built in test equipment (BITE) data, health management data,configuration data, at least one hardware (HW) part number, and/or atleast one software (SW) version number.

In at least one embodiment, the unit is an onboard maintenance systemunit, a safety/mission critical system network unit, a flight managementcomputer, or an avionics unit.

In one or more embodiments, the retrieving of the maintenance data bythe digital source controller off of the unit comprises interrogating,by the digital source controller, the unit for the maintenance data; andtransmitting, by the unit, the maintenance data to the digital sourcecontroller via the auxiliary power line. In some embodiments, themaintenance data is transmitted from the unit to the digital sourcecontroller via the auxiliary power line by using broadband over powerline (BPL).

In at least one embodiment, the vehicle is an airborne vehicle, aterrestrial vehicle, or a marine vehicle.

In one or more embodiments, the method further comprises retrieving, bya portable maintenance system, the maintenance data off of the digitalsource controller. In some embodiments, the method further comprisesretrieving, by a remote maintenance system, the maintenance data off ofthe digital source controller.

In at least one embodiment, a system for retrieving maintenance datafrom a unit on a vehicle comprises an auxiliary power line connected tothe unit, and a primary power line connected to the unit. In one or moreembodiments, the unit is powered by the auxiliary power line or theprimary power line. The system further comprises a digital sourcecontroller to retrieve the maintenance data off of the unit via theauxiliary power line.

In one or more embodiments, the digital source controller is operable toprovide power to the auxiliary power line. In at least one embodiment,the portable maintenance system is operable configured to command thedigital source controller to provide power to the auxiliary power line.In some embodiments, the remote maintenance system is operable tocommand the digital source controller to provide power to the auxiliarypower line. In one or more embodiments, the vehicle provides power tothe primary power line.

In at least one embodiment, a method for generating and transmittingmaintenance data from a unit on a vehicle comprises powering the unit byan auxiliary power line connected to the unit or a primary power lineconnected to the unit. The method further comprises modulating, by atleast one modulator (e.g., contained within a modem) of the unit, atleast a portion of the maintenance data to generate at least onemodulated signal. Further, the method comprises transmitting, from theunit, at least one modulated signal on the auxiliary power line.

In one or more embodiments, the method further comprises obtaining, byat least one processor of the unit, the maintenance data for operationalelectronics of the unit, during an operational mode or a maintenancemode. In some embodiments, the method further comprises storing, in atleast one memory of the unit, the maintenance data for operationalelectronics of the unit, during an operational mode or a maintenancemode.

In at least one embodiment, the maintenance data comprises healthmanagement (HM) data, built in test (BIT) data, built in test equipment(BITE) data, and/or configuration data. In one or more embodiments, theHM data, the BIT data, the BITE data, and the configuration data areeach modulated at a different frequency band than one another. In someembodiments, the HM data, the BIT data, the BITE data, and theconfiguration data are each modulated using a different modulationtechnique than one another.

In one or more embodiments, the vehicle is one of an airborne vehicle, aterrestrial vehicle, or a marine vehicle.

In at least one embodiment, at least a portion of the maintenance datais modulated by a modulation technique of frequency modulation (FM),amplitude modulation (AM), phase-shift keying (PSK), binary PSK (BPSK),quadrature PSK (QPSK), differential PSK (DPSK), differential QPSK(DQPSK), offset QPSK (OQPSK), frequency-shift keying (FSK), audiofrequency-shift keying (AFSK), multi-frequency shift keying (MFSK),dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF), amplitude-shift keying (ASK), on-offkeying (OOK), quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), continuous phasemodulation minimum-shift keying (CPMMSK), Gaussian minimum-shift keying(GMSK), continuous-phase frequency-shift keying (CPFSK), orthogonalfrequency-division multiplexing (OFDM), Trellis coded modulation (TCM),spread-spectrum techniques direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS), Chirpspread spectrum (CSS), or frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS).

In one or more embodiments, the unit is an onboard maintenance systemunit, a safety/mission critical system network unit, a flight managementcomputer, or an avionics unit. In some embodiments, the avionics unit isa communications unit, a navigation unit, a collision avoidance unit, aterrain awareness unit, a flight control unit, a maintenance unit, aflight recorder unit, a weather unit, or an in-flight entertainmentunit.

In at least one embodiment, a system for generating and transmittingmaintenance data from a unit on a vehicle comprises an auxiliary powerline connected to the unit and a primary power line connected to theunit. In one or more embodiments, the unit is powered by the auxiliarypower line or the primary power line. The system further comprises atleast one modulator (e.g., contained within a modem) of the unit tomodulate at least a portion of the maintenance data to generate at leastone modulated signal, which is transmitted from the unit via theauxiliary power line.

In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises at least oneprocessor of the unit to obtain the maintenance data for operationalelectronics of the unit. In some embodiments, the system furthercomprises at least one memory of the unit to store the maintenance datafor operational electronics of the unit.

In one or more embodiments, the modems of the disclosed method andsystem comprise modulators to modulate signals to generate modulatedsignals and/or demodulators to demodulate modulated signals to generatedemodulated signals.

The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently invarious embodiments of the present disclosure or may be combined in yetother embodiments.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become better understood with regard to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1A is a diagram showing the disclosed system for retrievingmaintenance data from a unit on a vehicle, in accordance with at leastone embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a flow chart showing the disclosed method for retrievingmaintenance data from a unit on a vehicle, in accordance with at leastone embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of a conventional unit for avehicle.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the details of one of the units of thedisclosed system of FIG. 1, in accordance with at least one embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of the digital source controller andone of units of the disclosed system of FIG. 1, in accordance with atleast one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the details of one of units of the disclosedsystem of FIG. 1, in accordance with at least one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 6A-6D together show a flow chart showing the disclosed method foroperating a unit on a vehicle, during dataload mode, operational mode,maintenance mode, and data retrieval, in accordance with at least oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the disclosed method for generating andtransmitting maintenance data from a unit on a vehicle, in accordancewith at least one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION

The methods and apparatus disclosed herein provide an operative systemfor maintenance over an auxiliary power line. In one or moreembodiments, the system of the present disclosure provides a solution tothe existing problem of limited to no access to units (e.g., electronicsdevices) installed within a given vehicle platform (e.g., an aircraft)in regards to maintenance activities (e.g., retrieving maintenance datafrom the units). In particular, the disclosed system provides anarchitecture using a digital source controller, coupled to all of theunits of interest, to retrieve the maintenance related data from theunits. When diagnosing a particular unit, the digital source controllerhas the ability to simply power up only the particular unit of interest,instead of needing to power up the entire vehicle to retrieve thedesired information off of the unit.

The disclosed multi-spectral maintenance over auxiliary power linesystem provides the ability of a vehicle (e.g., aircraft) toautonomously respond to the overall health of the vehicle during allphases (e.g., during all flight phases and during pre/post flight timeswith the aircraft powered down). In particular, the disclosed systemprovides increased affordable access to supportability data (e.g.,diagnostics, prognostics, maintainability, testability, dataload,configuration management, etc.) by separating the maintenancecommunications from the safety/mission critical communications.

In one or more embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method oftesting avionic systems without the removal of equipment by integratingthe traditional support interfaces (e.g., recommended standard (RS)-232,RS-485, and/or Ethernet interfaces) within the disclosed multi-spectrumcommunication network. In addition, the present disclosure provides acommon interconnect solution for dataloading avionics units, whilemaintaining compliancy with the aeronautical radio incorporated (ARINC)615A standard, by either powering up the unit of interest via theaircraft power or by using an auxiliary power to power up the individualunit.

The multi-spectral digital source collector and network controlleremployed by the disclosed system provides the communications translationbetween the multi-spectral communications and the onboard/off-boardcommunications, plus provides host health management (e.g., conditionbased management, built-in test management, parts tracking, etc.)functions (e.g., self-assessment, usage and component tracking,real-time health information, and projectedvehicle/system/unit/component health).

In at least one embodiment, the disclosed system provides cost andperformance benefits by extending the useful life of entire avionicssystems, increasing aircraft availability, decreasing operations andsustainment costs, reducing the logistics footprint, and enabling anincreased based capability that will help lead to fully integratedadaptive (e.g., autonomous) controls as envisioned for a “zeromaintenance aircraft”. The present disclosure also provides a means toeliminate the need for a special test station or test equipment, whichis conventionally used for the retrieval of maintenance data off ofunits and only available at specific maintenance locations.

In the following description, numerous details are set forth in order toprovide a more thorough description of the system. It will be apparent,however, to one skilled in the art, that the disclosed system may bepracticed without these specific details. In the other instances, wellknown features have not been described in detail so as not tounnecessarily obscure the system.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be described herein in termsof functional and/or logical components and various processing steps. Itshould be appreciated that such components may be realized by any numberof hardware, software, and/or firmware components configured to performthe specified functions. For example, an embodiment of the presentdisclosure may employ various integrated circuit components (e.g.,memory elements, digital signal processing elements, logic elements,look-up tables, or the like), which may carry out a variety of functionsunder the control of one or more processors, microprocessors, or othercontrol devices. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced inconjunction with other components, and that the system described hereinis merely one example embodiment of the present disclosure.

For the sake of brevity, conventional techniques and components relatedto retrieving maintenance data from units, and other functional aspectsof the system (and the individual operating components of the systems)may not be described in detail herein. Furthermore, the connecting linesshown in the various figures contained herein are intended to representexample functional relationships and/or physical couplings between thevarious elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additionalfunctional relationships or physical connections may be present in anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1A is a diagram 100 showing the disclosed system for retrievingmaintenance data from a unit 120 on a vehicle, in accordance with atleast one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this figure, thesystem comprises a multi-spectrum digital source collector and networkcontroller (also referred to as a digital source controller) 110, aplurality of units 120, and an aircraft primary power distribution unit160.

The plurality of units 120 are units that are employed by a vehicle(e.g., an aircraft) (not shown). The units 120 in FIG. 1A are shown tocomprise an onboard maintenance system unit 120 a, a safety/missioncritical system network unit 120 b, a flight management computer 120 c,and avionics units (e.g., an airborne units) 120 d, 120 e, 120 f.However, it should be noted that in other embodiments, the units 120 maybe different types of units other than the types of units that areshown. In one or more embodiments, for example, the avionics units 120d, 120 e, 120 f may be various different types of avoinics unitsincluding, but not limited to, a communications unit, a navigation unit,a collision avoidance unit, a terrain awareness unit, a flight controlunit, a maintenance unit, a flight recorder unit, a weather unit, and anin-flight entertainment unit. It should be noted that in one or moreembodiments, the vehicle may be an airborne vehicle (e.g., an aircraftor satellite), a terrestrial vehicle (e.g., a truck or train), or amarine vehicle (e.g., a boat or submarine). Additionally, in one or moreembodiments, the vehicle may comprise more or less units than the sixunits 120 that are shown in FIG. 1A.

In addition, it should be noted that each of the disclosed units 120 ofthe disclosed system includes a node 130, which is not found inconventional units. Details of the nodes 130 will be discussed in thedescription of FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.

Additionally, in FIG. 1A, the units 120 are shown to be connected to anaircraft primary power distribution unit 160 via a primary power line.The primary power line is the main power line within the vehicle that isused to power the units 120 of the vehicle during its normal operation.During normal operation of the vehicle, the aircraft primary powerdistribution unit 160 distributes power to the units 120, as needed,within the vehicle.

Also in FIG. 1A, the units 120 are shown to be connected to asafety/mission critical bus. The safety/mission critical bus is used tocommunicate safety and/or mission critical data to and from the units120.

In addition, the digital source controller 110 is shown to be connectedto the units 120 via an auxiliary power line. It should be noted thatthe digital source controller 110 may be housed within the vehicle orlocated at a remote location away from the vehicle. The digital sourcecontroller 110 may use the auxiliary power line to power the units 120and/or to collect maintenance data from the units 120.

The digital source controller 110 is also shown to be connected to aportable maintenance system (e.g., a laptop computer, tablet, or smartphone) 140. In some embodiments, the portable maintenance system 140 maybe stationary (e.g., a server). A user may use the portable maintenancesystem 140 to control (e.g., by sending a command(s)) the digital sourcecontroller 110 to power the units 120 via the digital source controller110 and to retrieve maintenance data from the units 120 via the digitalsource controller 110. Although FIG. 1A shows the digital sourcecontroller 110 connected to the portable maintenance system 140 viawire, the digital source controller 110 may be connected to the portablemaintenance system 140 via wire or wirelessly. In addition, in one ormore embodiments, the digital source controller 110 is connected to theportable maintenance system 140 via a firewall 170 for security of themaintenance data.

In addition, the digital source controller 110 is shown to be connectedto a remote maintenance system (e.g., a computer or server) 150, whichis located in a remote location away from the vehicle. A user may usethe remote maintenance system 150 to control (e.g., by sending acommand(s)) the digital source controller 110 to power the units 120 viathe digital source controller 110 and to retrieve maintenance data fromthe units 120 via the digital source controller 110. Although, in thisfigure, the digital source controller 110 is shown to be connected tothe remote maintenance system 150 wirelessly, the digital sourcecontroller 110 may be connected to the remote maintenance system 150 viawire or wirelessly. In addition, in one or more embodiments, the digitalsource controller 110 is connected to the remote maintenance system 150via a firewall 170 for security of the maintenance data.

During operation of the disclosed system, when the vehicle is operatingnormally (e.g., when the aircraft is in flight), the aircraft primarypower distribution unit 160 of the vehicle provides power to the units120, as needed for the operation (in normal operational mode) of theunits 120, via the primary power line. Also, when the units 120 areoperating, the units 120 collect maintenance data for their operationalelectronics during operation. This maintenance data is stored within thenodes 130 of the units 120. Details of the collection of maintenancedata by the units 120 will be discussed in detail in the description ofFIG. 5.

In one or more embodiments, the maintenance data may be healthmanagement (HM) data (e.g., diagnostic or prognostic data recordedduring operational mode of the units 120), built in test (BIT) data(e.g., data regarding registers failing during operation of the units120 in operational mode), built in test equipment (BITE) data (e.g.,measurement data recorded during testing of the units 120 during ameasurement mode), and/or configuration data (e.g., configurationprofiles for the operational electronics of the units 120, which mayinclude hardware (HW) part numbers for the units 120 and software (SW)version numbers for software used by the units 120).

A user may use the digital source controller 110 to retrieve themaintenance data from the nodes 130 of the units 120 via the auxiliarypower line. The user may operate the digital source controller 110directly and/or operate the digital source controller 110 remotely bythe portable maintenance system 140 and/or the remote maintenance system150.

When the vehicle is operating normally and the user wants to retrievemaintenance data off of a particular unit 120, the user will command thedigital source controller 110 to interrogate the unit 120 of interestfor the specific maintenance data the user desires. The digital sourcecontroller 110 will then interrogate the unit 120 for the specificmaintenance data by transmitting a request signal to the unit 120 ofinterest via the auxiliary power line. The request signal will betransmitted over the auxiliary power line by using broadband over powerline (BPL) techniques.

After the unit 120 of interest receives the request signal, the unit 120will transmit the requested maintenance data in a data signal to thedigital source controller 110 via the auxiliary power line using BPLtechniques. If the user requested the maintenance data by operating thedigital source controller 110 remotely via the portable maintenancesystem 140 or the remote maintenance system 150, the digital sourcecontroller 110 will forward the maintenance data to the specific system(e.g., the portable maintenance system 140 or the remote maintenancesystem 150) that the user used to command to the digital sourcecontroller 110.

When the vehicle is not operating normally (e.g., the aircraft is landedand shut down for pre-flight or post-flight) and the user wants toretrieve maintenance data off of a particular unit 120, the user willcommand the digital source controller 110 to power the particular unit120 via the auxiliary power line. In one or more embodiments, thedigital source controller 110 will itself supply the power to auxiliarypower line. In some embodiments, the user will use the portablemaintenance system 140 and/or the remote maintenance system 150 tocommand the digital source controller 110 to power the auxiliary powerline.

Then, the user will command the digital source controller 110 tointerrogate the unit 120 of interest for the specific desiredmaintenance data. In some embodiments, the user will use the portablemaintenance system 140 and/or the remote maintenance system 150 tocommand the digital source controller 110 to interrogate the unit 120 ofinterest for the desired maintenance data. The digital source controller110 will then interrogate the unit 120 for the specific maintenance databy transmitting a request signal to the unit 120 of interest via theauxiliary power line. The request signal will then be transmitted overthe auxiliary power line by using BPL techniques. After the unit 120 ofinterest receives the request signal, the unit 120 will transmit therequested maintenance data in a data signal to the digital sourcecontroller 110 via the auxiliary power line using BPL techniques. If theuser requested the maintenance data by operating the digital sourcecontroller 110 remotely via the portable maintenance system 140 or theremote maintenance system 150, the digital source controller 110 willforward the maintenance data to the specific system (e.g., the portablemaintenance system 140 or the remote maintenance system 150) that theuser used to command to the digital source controller 110.

FIG. 1B is a flow chart showing the disclosed method 190 for retrievingmaintenance data from a unit on a vehicle, in accordance with at leastone embodiment of the present disclosure. At the start 191 of the method190, the vehicle (e.g., a battery of the vehicle) provides power to aprimary power line of the vehicle 192. Also, a digital source controllerprovides power to an auxiliary power line 193. Then, the auxiliary powerline (which is connected to the unit) or the primary power line (whichis connected to the unit) powers the unit 194. The digital sourcecontroller then retrieves the maintenance data off of the unit via theauxiliary power line 195. Then, the method 190 ends 196.

FIG. 2 is a diagram 200 showing details of a conventional unit 220 for avehicle. It should be noted that the conventional unit 220 depicted inFIG. 2 shows the details of conventional units that are currentlyemployed on aircraft. Unlike the disclosed units 120 employed by thedisclosed system, the conventional units 220 typically need to beremoved from their vehicle platform for retrieval of their maintenancedata.

In this figure, the conventional unit 220 is shown to include built intest equipment (BITE) memory 240, built in test (BIT) memory 250, anddataload memory 260. Also, in this figure, the BITE memory 240 is shownto be connected to a serial port (e.g., an RS 232 connector or RS 485connector) 275 via a BITE bus controller 245, the BIT memory 250 isshown to be connected to a serial port (e.g., RS 232 or RS 485connector) 270 via a BIT bus controller 255, and the dataload memory 260is shown to be connected to a connector (e.g., an ARINC 600 connector)230 via a dataload bus controller 265. Also in this figure, special BITsupport portable or test station equipment 205 is connected via wire toserial port 270 of the conventional unit 220, special BITE supportportable or test station equipment 215 is connected via wire to serialport 275 of the conventional unit 220, and a dataloader (e.g., an ARINC645A dataloader) 225 is connected to via wire to connector 230 of theconventional unit 220. In some embodiments, the dataloader 225 is alsoconnected via wire to a serial port 280 of the conventional unit 220.

Prior to operating the conventional unit 220 normally, a configuration(e.g., configuration profile) for the operational electronics (notshown) of the conventional unit 220 is loaded onto the conventional unit220. During operation of the conventional unit 220 during a dataloadmode of operation for the conventional unit 220, the configuration forthe operational electronics (not shown) of the conventional unit 220 isloaded by a dataloader 225 into the dataload memory 260 via theconnector 230 and the dataload bus controller 265. In some embodiments,the configuration is loaded by the dataloader 225 into dataload memory260 via serial port 280.

After the configuration is loaded into the dataload memory 260, thedataload bus controller 265 of the conventional unit 220 configures theoperational electronics (not shown) according to the configuration.After the operational electronics are configured according to theconfiguration, the conventional unit 220 is ready to operate normally.

During operation of the conventional unit 220 during operational mode,the operational electronics of the conventional unit 220 operatenormally. While the operational electronics are operating normally, theBIT bus controller 255 obtains BIT data, and the BIT data is then storedin the BIT memory 250. After the conventional unit 220 is finishedoperating normally, a maintenance mode for the conventional unit 220 maybe run.

During operation of the conventional unit 220 during maintenance mode,the operational electronics are not operating normally, but rather theBITE bus controller 245 performs tests on the operational electronicsand obtains BITE data from the testing. The BITE data is then stored inthe BITE memory 240 of the conventional unit 220.

After the BITE data and BIT data are obtained and stored in the BITEmemory 240 and BIT memory 250, respectively, it may be desired toretrieve the BITE data and BIT data for review and analysis. Forretrieval of the BITE data and the BIT data, in one or more embodiments,the conventional unit 220 will be removed from the vehicle platform itis installed within and connected to special BIT support portable ortest station equipment 205 and special BITE support portable or teststation 215.

During data retrieval, the special BIT support portable or test stationequipment 205 will retrieve the BIT data from the BIT data memory 250,and the special BITE portable or test station equipment 215 willretrieve the BITE data from the BITE memory 240. After the BIT data andthe BITE data have been retrieved, the conventional unit 220 will bedisconnected from the special BITE portable or test station equipment215 and the special BIT support portable or test station equipment 205.Then, the conventional unit 220 will be reinstalled on the vehicleplatform for its normal operation.

FIG. 3 is a diagram 300 showing the details of one of the units 120 ofthe disclosed system of FIG. 1, in accordance with at least oneembodiment of the present disclosure. It should be noted that thisdiagram 300 is a simplified diagram of the components of a disclosedunit 120 and does not show all components of the unit 120 (e.g., thisdiagram 300 does not show the operational electronics of the unit 120).

In this figure, the unit 120 is shown to include health management (HM)memory 370, BITE memory 340, BIT memory 350, and dataload memory 360.The HM memory 370, BITE memory 340, BIT memory 350, and dataload memory360 are all connected to a node (e.g., a maintenance (MX) node) 130,which is connected to a connector (e.g., an ARINC 600 connector) 330.The connector 330 of the unit 120 is connected to an auxiliary powerline. And, the unit 120 is connected to a digital source controller 110via the auxiliary power line. The digital source controller 110 is ableto retrieve maintenance data (HM data, BIT data, and BITE data) from theunit 120 and download a configuration (e.g., a configuration profile forthe operational electronics of the unit 120) onto the unit 120 via theauxiliary power line.

Also in this figure, the node 130 is shown to comprise a HM/BITcontroller and modem 345 and a BITE/dataload controller and modem 355,which are each connected to analog front end electronics (AFE). TheHM/BIT controller and modem 345 obtain the HM data and BIT data for theoperational electronics (not shown) of the unit 120, and theBITE/dataload controller and modem 355 obtain the BITE data andconfiguration (e.g., configuration profile) for the operationalelectronics (not shown) of the unit 120.

It should be noted that, when the unit 120 is not powered, theBITE/dataload controller and modem 355 may still be operated to obtainBITE data and to load a configuration (e.g., configuration profile) forthe operational electronics. A safety control signal (e.g., a discreteradio frequency identification (RFID) signal) 375 generated by RFIDelectronics 380 may be used to command the BITE/dataload controller andmodem 355 to turn on and a maintenance power supply (Mx P/S) 365 may beused to power only the BITE/dataload controller and modem 355 foroperation of the BITE/dataload controller and modem 355. Additionaldetails regarding the operation of the unit 120 will be discussed in thedescription of FIG. 5.

FIG. 4 is a diagram 400 showing details of the digital source controller110 and one of units 120 of the disclosed system of FIG. 1, inaccordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Itshould be noted that diagram 400 shows a simplified diagram of thecomponents of a disclosed unit 120 and a simplified diagram of thecomponents of a digital source controller 110.

In this figure, the unit 120 is shown to include operational electronics430, a unit power supply (P/S) 450 that is used to power the unit 120,flash memory 440 that is used to store data including maintenance data,and the node (e.g., maintenance (MX) node) 130. The node 130 is shown tocomprise a HM/BIT controller and modem 345 and a BITE/dataloadcontroller and modem (e.g., maintenance controller and modem) 355, whichare each connected to analog front end electronics (AFE). The HM/BITcontroller and modem 345 obtain the HM data and BIT data for theoperational electronics 430 of the unit 120, and the BITE/dataloadcontroller and modem 355 obtain the BITE data and configuration (e.g.,configuration profile) for the operational electronics 430 of the unit120. The node is also shown to comprise a maintenance power supply (MxP/S) 365 that may be used to power only the BITE/dataload controller andmodem 355 and RFID electronics 380 for generating a safety controlsignal (e.g., a discrete radio frequency identification (RFID) signal)375 to be used to command the BITE/dataload controller and modem 355 toturn on.

Also in this figure, the digital source controller 110 is shown tocomprise a processor (e.g., a maintenance processor) 460, a modem 470,analog front end electronics (AFE), and a power supply (P/S) 480. Thedigital source controller 110 is connected to a portable or stationarydataload device 490 and a portable (or stationary) maintenance (MX)device 140 via a portable maintenance system connection, which may bewired or wireless. In addition, the digital source controller 110 isconnected to the unit 120 via an auxiliary power line.

During operation, a user may operate the digital source controller 110either directly (e.g., via a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed ona display 495) in communication with the digital source controller 110or, alternatively, remotely via the portable or stationary dataloaddevice 490 for downloading a configuration onto the unit 120 or remotelyvia the portable (or stationary) maintenance device 140 for retrievingmaintenance data from the unit 120. When the user operates the digitalsource controller 110 remotely, the maintenance processor 460 of thedigital source controller 110 will receive and process commands from theuser. For example, when the user sends a command for particularmaintenance data (e.g., BIT data) to the digital source controller 110,the maintenance processor 460 will process the command and generate aninterrogation command (e.g., a request command) to be sent to the unit120 for the desired maintenance data (e.g., BIT data). The modem 470(e.g., which comprises a modulator) of the digital source controller 110will then generate a modulated request signal for the interrogationcommand. The digital source controller 110 will transmit the modulatedrequest signal to the unit 120 via the auxiliary power line.

After the unit 120 receives the modulated request signal, the HM/BITcontroller and modem 345 will process the modulated request signal todetermine the specific request. the HM/BIT controller and modem 345 unit120 will then retrieve the requested maintenance data (e.g., BIT data)from memory (e.g., flash memory 440) and generate (e.g., by using amodulator within the HM/BIT controller and modem 345) a modulated datasignal comprising the requested maintenance data (e.g., BIT data). Theunit 120 will then transmit the modulated data signal to the digitalsource controller 110 via the auxiliary power line. If the user isoperating the digital source controller 110 remotely, the digital sourcecontroller 110 will then forward the requested maintenance data (e.g.,BIT data) to the specific system (e.g., the portable (or stationary)maintenance device 140) that the user used to command to the digitalsource controller 110.

FIG. 5 is a diagram 500 showing the details of one of units 120 of thedisclosed system of FIG. 1, in accordance with at least one embodimentof the present disclosure. In particular, diagram 500 shows details ofthe HM/BIT controller and modem 345 and the BITE/dataload controller andmodem 355 of the unit 120. It should be noted that although diagram 500does not specifically depict the node 130 of the unit 120, it isunderstood that the unit 120 does comprise the node 130.

In this figure, the unit 120 is shown to include operational electronics430, a unit power supply (P/S) 450 that is used to power the unit 120, aHM/BIT controller and modem 345, and a BITE/dataload controller andmodem 355. The HM/BIT controller and modem 345 obtain the HM data andBIT data for the operational electronics 430 of the unit 120, and theBITE/dataload controller and modem 355 obtain the BITE data andconfiguration (e.g., configuration profile) for the operationalelectronics 430 of the unit 120. The HM/BIT controller and modem 345 isshown to include HM memory 510, BIT memory 520, a HM controller 511, aBIT controller 521, a HM modem 512, and a BIT modem 522. And, theBITE/dataload controller and modem 355 is shown to include BITE memory530, dataload memory 540, a BITE controller 531, a dataload controller541, a BITE modem 532, and a dataload modem (e.g., an ARINC 615A modem)542.

The unit 120 is also shown to comprise a maintenance power supply (MxP/S) 365 that may be used to power only the BITE/dataload controller andmodem 355, and RFID electronics 380 for generating a safety controlsignal (e.g., a discrete radio frequency identification (RFID) signal)375 to be used to command the BITE/dataload controller and modem 355 toturn on.

The unit 120 is operable to operate in four different modes, which are adataload mode, an operational mode, a maintenance mode, and a dataretrieval mode. A detailed description of the operation of the unit 120in these four modes follows.

During operation of the unit 120 in dataload mode, a safety controlsignal 375 (e.g., a discrete signal) generated by the RFID electronics380 commands the BITE/dataload controller and modem 355 to turn on.Also, the maintenance power supply 365 powers the BITE/dataloadcontroller and modem 355 from power obtained by the auxiliary power lineconnected to the unit 120 via the connector 330 or from power obtainedby the primary power line connected to the unit 120 via the connector330. The dataload modem 542 of the unit 120 then receives a modulatedconfiguration signal (e.g., a modulated signal comprising aconfiguration profile for the operational electronics 430) from theauxiliary power line. It should be noted that in some embodiments, themodulated configuration signal may be transmitted on a specificfrequency band (e.g., 70-200 Megahertz (MHz)). The dataload modem 542(e.g., which comprises a demodulator) then demodulates the modulatedconfiguration signal to determine the configuration. The dataload memory540 then stores the configuration. Then, the dataload controller 541configures the operational electronics 430 according to theconfiguration. After the operational electronics 430 are configured, theBITE/dataload controller and modem 355 are no longer powered.

During operation of the unit 120 in operational mode, the unit powersupply 450 powers the operational electronics 430 and the HM/BITcontroller and modem 345 from power obtained by the auxiliary power lineconnected to the unit 120 via the connector 330 or from power obtainedby the primary power line connected to the unit 120 via the connector330. After the operational electronics 430 are powered, the operationalelectronics 430 operate normally. While the operational electronics areoperating normally, the HM controller 511 obtains HM data for theoperational electronics 430, and the BIT controller 521 obtains BIT datafor the operational electronics 430. The HM data is then stored in HMmemory 510 and the BIT data is also stored in BIT memory 520. After theoperational electronics 430 are finished operating, the operationalelectronics 430 are no longer powered.

During operation of the unit 120 in maintenance mode, a safety controlsignal 375 (e.g., a discrete signal) generated by the RFID electronics380 commands the BITE/dataload controller and modem 355 to turn on.Also, the maintenance power supply 365 powers the BITE/dataloadcontroller and modem 355 from power obtained by the auxiliary power lineconnected to the unit 120 via the connector 330 or from power obtainedby the primary power line connected to the unit 120 via the connector330. The BITE controller 531 performs tests on the operationalelectronics 430, and obtains BITE data from the operational electronics430 during the testing. The BITE data is then stored in the BITE memory530. After the testing of the operational electronics 430 is complete,the BITE/dataload controller and modem 355 is no longer powered.

During operation of the unit 120 in data retrieval mode, for theretrieval of HM data and BIT data, the unit power supply 450 powers theHM/BIT controller and modem 345 from power obtained by the auxiliarypower line connected to the unit 120 via the connector 330 or from powerobtained by the primary power line connected to the unit 120 via theconnector 330. The BIT modem 522 of the unit 120 then receives amodulated request signal (e.g., a modulated signal comprising a requestfor BIT data for the operational electronics 430) from a digital sourcecontroller 110 via the auxiliary power line. Also, the HM modem 512 ofthe unit 120 receives a modulated request signal (e.g., a modulatedsignal comprising a request for HM data for the operational electronics430) from the digital source controller 110 via the auxiliary powerline. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the modulated requestsignal for the BIT data may be transmitted on a specific frequency band(e.g., 32-48 MHz), and the modulated request signal for the HM data maybe transmitted on a different specific frequency band (e.g., 12-28 MHz).

The BIT modem 522 (e.g., which comprises a demodulator) then demodulatesthe modulated request signal for the BIT data to determine the specificrequest, and the HM modem 512 (e.g., which comprises a demodulator)demodulates the modulated request signal for the HM data to determinethe specific request. The BIT controller 521 then retrieves therequested BIT data from the BIT memory 520, and the HM controller 511retrieves the requested HM data from the HM memory 510. Then, the BITmodem 522 (e.g., which comprises a modulator) generates a modulated BITdata signal comprising the requested BIT data and the HM modem 512(e.g., which comprises a modulator) generates a modulated HM data signalcomprising the requested HM data. It should be noted that in someembodiments, the modulated BIT data signal may be transmitted on aspecific frequency band (e.g., 32-48 MHz), and the modulated HM datasignal may be transmitted on a different specific frequency band (e.g.,12-28 MHz). Then, the unit 120 transmits the modulated BIT data signaland the modulated HM data signal to the digital source controller 110via the auxiliary power line.

Also during data retrieval mode, for the retrieval of BITE data, asafety control signal 375 (e.g., a discrete signal) generated by theRFID electronics 380 commands the BITE/dataload controller and modem 355to turn on. Also, the maintenance power supply 365 powers theBITE/dataload controller and modem 355 from power obtained by theauxiliary power line connected to the unit 120 via the connector 330 orfrom power obtained by the primary power line connected to the unit 120via the connector 330. Then, The BITE modem 532 of the unit 120 thenreceives a modulated request signal (e.g., a modulated signal comprisinga request for BITE data for the operational electronics 430) from adigital source controller 110 via the auxiliary power line. In one ormore embodiments, the modulated request signal for the BITE data may betransmitted on a specific frequency band (e.g., 52-68 MHz).

The BITE modem 532 (e.g., which comprises a demodulator) thendemodulates the modulated request signal for the BITE data to determinethe specific request. The BITE controller 531 then retrieves therequested BITE data from the BITE memory 530. Then, the BITE modem 532(e.g., which comprises a modulator) generates a modulated BITE datasignal comprising the requested BITE data. It should be noted that insome embodiments, the modulated BITE data signal may be transmitted on aspecific frequency band (e.g., 52-68 MHz). Then, the unit 120 transmitsthe modulated BITE data signal to the digital source controller 110 viathe auxiliary power line.

After all of the requested maintenance data (e.g., BIT data, HM data,and BITE data) has been transmitted from the unit 120 to the digitalsource controller 110, the HM/BIT controller and modem 345 and theBITE/dataload controller and modem 355 are no longer powered.

In addition, it should be noted that in one or more embodiments, thedifferent modulation signals may each be generated using variousdifferent modulation techniques. Different modulation techniques thatmay be used to generate the different modulation signals include, butare not limited to, frequency modulation (FM), amplitude modulation(AM), phase-shift keying (PSK), binary PSK (BPSK), quadrature PSK(QPSK), differential PSK (DPSK), differential QPSK (DQPSK), offset QPSK(OQPSK), frequency-shift keying (FSK), audio frequency-shift keying(AFSK), multi-frequency shift keying (MFSK), dual-tone multi-frequency(DTMF), amplitude-shift keying (ASK), on-off keying (OOK), quadratureamplitude modulation (QAM), continuous phase modulation minimum-shiftkeying (CPMMSK), Gaussian minimum-shift keying (GMSK), continuous-phasefrequency-shift keying (CPFSK), orthogonal frequency-divisionmultiplexing (OFDM), Trellis coded modulation (TCM), spread-spectrumtechniques direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS), Chirp spread spectrum(CSS), and frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS).

FIGS. 6A-6D together show a flow chart showing the disclosed method foroperating a unit on a vehicle, during dataload mode 602, operationalmode 614, maintenance mode 630, and data retrieval 644 in accordancewith at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. At the start 600of the method, during dataload mode 602, a safety control signalcommands built in test equipment (BITE) electronics and dataloadelectronics within the unit to turn on 604. Then, the BITE electronicsand the dataload electronics are powered by a primary power lineconnected to the unit or an auxiliary power line connected to the unit,during the dataload mode 606. A configuration for operational electronicof the unit is then loaded into dataload memory of the dataloadelectronics, during the dataload mode 608. Then, a dataload controllerof the dataload electronics configures the operational electronics ofthe unit according to the configuration, during the dataload mode 610.Powering of the BITE electronics and the dataload electronics isdiscontinued, after the operational electronics have been configured612.

During operational mode 614, health management (HM) electronics andbuilt in test (BIT) electronics within the unit are powered by theprimary power line connected to the unit or the auxiliary power lineconnected to the unit 616. Then, the operational electronics operatesduring operational mode 618. A HM controller of the HM electronicsobtains HM data for the operational electronics of the unit while theunit is operating, during the operational mode 620. Then, the HM data isstored into HM memory of the HM electronics, during the operational mode622. A BIT controller of the BIT electronics obtains BIT data for theoperational electronics of the unit while the unit is operating, duringthe operational mode 624. Then, the BIT data is stored into BIT memoryof the BIT electronics, during the operational mode 626. Powering of theHM electronics and the BIT electronics is discontinued, after theoperational electronics is finished operating 628.

During maintenance mode 630, a safety control signal commands the BITEelectronics and the dataload electronics within the unit to turn on,during maintenance mode 632. The BITE electronics and the dataloadelectronics are then powered by the primary power line connected to theunit or the auxiliary power line connected to the unit, during themaintenance mode 634. A BITE controller of the BITE electronics thentests the operational electronics of the unit, during the maintenancemode 636. Then, the BITE controller of the BITE electronics obtains BITEdata for the operational electronics of the unit while the operationalelectronics is being tested, during the maintenance mode 638. The BITEdata is then stored into BITE memory of the BITE electronics, during themaintenance mode 640. Powering of the BITE electronics and the dataloadelectronics is discontinued, after the operational electronics has beentested 642.

During data retrieval 644, the HM electronics and the BIT electronicswithin the unit are powered by the primary power line connected to theunit or the auxiliary power line connected to the unit 646. Then, adigital source controller retrieves the HM data from the HM memory viathe auxiliary power line 648. Also, the digital source controllerretrieves the BIT data from the BIT memory via the auxiliary power line650. The safety control signal commands the BITE electronics and thedataload electronics within the unit to turn on 652. Then, the BITEelectronics and the dataload electronics are powered by the primarypower line connected to the unit or the auxiliary power line connectedto the unit 654. The digital source controller then retrieves the BITEdata from the BITE memory via the auxiliary power line 656. Then, themethod ends 658.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the disclosed method 700 for generatingand transmitting maintenance data from a unit on a vehicle, inaccordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Atthe start 710 of the method 700, the unit is powered by an auxiliarypower line connected to the unit or a primary power line connected tothe unit 720. At least one modulator (e.g., of a modem) modulates atleast a portion of the maintenance data to generate at least onemodulated signal 730. Then, at least one modulated signal is transmittedfrom the unit on the auxiliary power line 740. Then, the method 700 ends750.

Although particular embodiments have been shown and described, it shouldbe understood that the above discussion is not intended to limit thescope of these embodiments. While embodiments and variations of the manyaspects of the invention have been disclosed and described herein, suchdisclosure is provided for purposes of explanation and illustrationonly. Thus, various changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the claims.

Where methods described above indicate certain events occurring incertain order, those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure would recognize that the ordering may be modified andthat such modifications are in accordance with the variations of thepresent disclosure. Additionally, parts of methods may be performedconcurrently in a parallel process when possible, as well as performedsequentially. In addition, more parts or less part of the methods may beperformed.

Accordingly, embodiments are intended to exemplify alternatives,modifications, and equivalents that may fall within the scope of theclaims.

Although certain illustrative embodiments and methods have beendisclosed herein, it can be apparent from the foregoing disclosure tothose skilled in the art that variations and modifications of suchembodiments and methods can be made without departing from the truespirit and scope of the art disclosed. Many other examples of the artdisclosed exist, each differing from others in matters of detail only.Accordingly, it is intended that the art disclosed shall be limited onlyto the extent required by the appended claims and the rules andprinciples of applicable law.

We claim:
 1. A method for retrieving maintenance data from a unit on avehicle, the method comprising: powering the unit by one of an auxiliarypower line connected to the unit or a primary power line connected tothe unit; and retrieving, by a digital source controller, themaintenance data off of the unit via the auxiliary power line.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises providing power,by the digital source controller, to the auxiliary power line.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the method further comprises commanding, by aportable maintenance system, the digital source controller to providepower to the auxiliary power line.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein themethod further comprises commanding, by a remote maintenance system, thedigital source controller to provide power to the auxiliary power line.5. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises providingpower, by the vehicle, to the primary power line.
 6. The method of claim1, wherein the maintenance data comprises as least one of built in test(BIT) data, built in test equipment (BITE) data, health management data,configuration data, at least one hardware (HW) part number, or at leastone software (SW) version number.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein theunit is one of an onboard maintenance system unit, a safety/missioncritical system network unit, a flight management computer, or anavionics unit.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the retrieving of themaintenance data by the digital source controller off of the unitcomprises: interrogating, by the digital source controller, the unit forthe maintenance data; and transmitting, by the unit, the maintenancedata to the digital source controller via the auxiliary power line. 9.The method of claim 8, wherein the maintenance data is transmitted fromthe unit to the digital source controller via the auxiliary power lineby using broadband over power line (BPL).
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein the vehicle is one of an airborne vehicle, a terrestrialvehicle, or a marine vehicle.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein themethod further comprises retrieving, by a portable maintenance system,the maintenance data off of the digital source controller.
 12. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises retrieving, by aremote maintenance system, the maintenance data off of the digitalsource controller.
 13. A system for retrieving maintenance data from aunit on a vehicle, the system comprising: an auxiliary power lineconnected to the unit; a primary power line connected to the unit,wherein the unit is powered by one of the auxiliary power line or theprimary power line; and a digital source controller to retrieve themaintenance data off of the unit via the auxiliary power line.
 14. Thesystem of claim 13, wherein the digital source controller is operable toprovide power to the auxiliary power line.
 15. The system of claim 14,wherein a portable maintenance system is operable to command the digitalsource controller to provide power to the auxiliary power line.
 16. Thesystem of claim 14, wherein a remote maintenance system is operable tocommand the digital source controller to provide power to the auxiliarypower line.
 17. The system of claim 13, wherein the vehicle is toprovide power to the primary power line.
 18. The system of claim 13,wherein the maintenance data comprises at least one of built in test(BIT) data, built in test equipment (BITE) data, health management data,configuration data, at least one hardware (HW) part number, or at leastone software (SW) version number.
 19. The system of claim 13, whereinthe unit is one of an onboard maintenance system unit, a safety/missioncritical system network unit, a flight management computer, or anavionics unit.
 20. The system of claim 13, wherein the vehicle is one ofan airborne vehicle, a terrestrial vehicle, or a marine vehicle.